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IKEA meatballs have been in the spotlight for years!
In fact, I still have a printed recipe card for Ikea meatballs with cream sauce from their official website over a decade ago.
It’s wrinkled, has a bunch of notes on it, and uses Swedish/Scandinavian Deciliters as its measurements.
After converting the deciliters, we thought the original recipe needed some work. I think the takeaways to draw are to use equal parts of minced beef and pork. As well as an outline for some of the main spices.
After further research, I was able to find the exact ingredient list from the frozen meatballs. Which was super helpful in recreating them (newsflash: they’re very simple)!
The homemade Ikea meatball sauce is amazing! I added a little bit of sour cream to replicate that tangy flavor from the gravy packet!
My goal was to simplify the meatball recipe, yet still create extra juicy meatballs that are smothered in the right kind of gravy. Creamy and savory. Extra soft yet not labor-intensive.
Baked meatballs are the way to go and require minimal cleanup! That way, you can focus on making the gravy and relax. This recipe was tested right in my kitchen for perfect results every time!
I share everything I’ve learned along the way, from the sauce to how to recreate the iconic Ikea Meatballs! Including the right portioning for freezing, what size to make the meatballs, and more! So let’s jump into the recipe!
Mise en PlaceEverything You Need! :
Helpful Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl to make a gloopy meat mixture!
- 1″cookie scoop or 3/4 oz capacity to make small bite-sized meatballs.
- Extra Large sheet pan (this recipe makes 45 meatballs).
- Healthy Parchment paper for easy cleanup!
- Paper towels to wipe off any gelatinous stuff that oozes from meatballs.
- Freezer bags
- Kitchen scale if you want to divide meatballs into exact 2.2-pound portions!
What Goes in Swedish Meatballs: Ingredients & Substitutes:
- For HUVUDROLL Meatballs- (the meat-based meatballs) you’ll need equal parts of ground beef and pork, eggs, organic bread crumbs, whole milk, dehydrated onion powder, ground all-spice, salt, black, and white pepper.
- My Cream Sauce- is more of a lightened brown gravy than an overly strong mustard cream sauce. My goal was to replicate the packet mix, which is basically made of starch, salt, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, and flavorings. I made it healthier by omitting some of the unnecessary add-ins, yet still achieved that mildly flavored gravy that complements the savory meatballs.
Note: I’m following the meat proportions to an older, official Ikea meatball recipe (photo above) where the minced beef and pork were in equal amounts. This makes it easier for cooks not to waste any meat, as most packaged meats come in 1-pound portions, here in the U.S.
Substitutes: for Meat: Ground Pork can be swapped out with lean ground chicken, turkey, or wild game. For dairy-free options, use soy, oat milk, or almond milk for the milk in this recipe. I like to use healthier organic breadcrumbs, but if you have gluten sensitivity, use gluten-free oats or toast up some leftover gluten-free bread to make homemade breadcrumbs.
White flour works very similarly to potato starch, which is the starch used in the packet. However, you must use less of it. About 2-3 Tbsp of potato starch should be used for every 1/4 cup of flour.
I’ve also noticed that gravy made with starch stays thinner, whereas wheat flour gravies tend to become thicker as they sit.
From-Scratch Hack
Did you know the Ikea gravy packets are produced in Romania? Romanian’s love mushrooms and paprika, which are the flavors we detected in the Ikea gravy when making it at home from the packet. For this reason, I used a mushroom bouillon cube, paprika, and sour cream in my cream sauce. Which, by the way, tasted so close to theirs!
Obviously, the packet contains dry ingredients such as milk protein, which is more concentrated than nonfat milk. This was another reason to use something that had more fat and flavor, like sour cream.
Beef and mushroom bouillon cubes are staples for home cooks! It is what will give your gravy a brown color and where most of the flavors come from (hence the simple ingredient list for the gravy). I buy my Mushroom bouillon cubes from a European market, but Amazon has them too. There are recipes to make mushroom powder or bouillon cubes from scratch if you are looking for healthier options.
What To Serve With Homemade Swedish Meatballs
IKEA Swedish meatballs aren’t complete without mashed potatoes and some sort of vibrant green vegetables, as seen here.
My daughter made these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes with these Swedish meatballs.
I also boiled two bags of frozen green peas for 3 minutes to keep their vibrant green color.
Meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be paired with rice, pasta, boiled, or mashed potatoes.
I try to keep frozen veggies in the freezer, like broccoli, string beans, and sweet peas, for dinners like these delicious meatballs.
Not everybody has access to an Ikea store to buy their lingonberry jam. To replicate this tart and sweet jam, the closest flavor profile would be this pectin-free cranberry sauce that comes together in a couple of minutes (using dried cranberries)! I actually like this sauce way better.
If your family loves carbs, then mop up the sauce with some chewy Artisan bread and enjoy! There’s really no wrong way to serve meatballs and gravy–it will be delicious either way!
Reheating or Serving for Crowds
Swedish meatballs make a super easy potluck food! The best way to reheat them is to add a little water to a 9×13 dish (up to a cup). Then add the meatballs and gravy. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes (or if you need it quicker, bake at 470°F for 15 minutes). These can also be kept warm in the slow cooker for hours while you’re at church for Sunday lunch!
Sometimes, homemade gravy can jelly up and get thicker after sitting. To reconstitute the gravy, whisk in 1/2 cup of water when reheating.
Freezing
This recipe makes about 3 pounds of cooked meatballs. IKEA freezes its cooked meatballs in 2.2-pound portions (which is 35.3 oz or 1 kg). Make sure to cool your meatballs completely before transferring them into a gallon-sized Zip-loc bag. Keep frozen for up to 3 months. I usually thaw my meatballs at once; that is why I don’t flash freeze them.
If you prefer to take out individual servings from the freezer, then place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to flash freeze them. Then transfer into a freezer bag and keep frozen until needed.
FAQs About Ikea Meatballs
Can I Make Ikea Meatballs Gluten-free?
Yes! There are gluten-free breadcrumbs available on Amazon. I’ve also used organic rolled oats in place of breadcrumbs for fabulous results in meatloaf and meatballs. Ideally, you want a binding ingredient like eggs, oats, or bread crumbs to bind your meat mixture to make fluffy and juicy meatballs.
Cooking Meatballs in a Skillet vs Oven?
You could pan-fry the meatballs in a skillet, but it’s much easier to bake them all at once! The only reason to deal with the mess of pan frying is if you want to make the gravy in the meat drippings for extra flavor. The brown bits from the pan would enhance your gravy, but I’m telling you this cream sauce recipe is amazing without that step!
What’s the Best Substitute for Pork?
Pork is usually leaner than beef; use any leaner type of meat that is finely minced or ground. I think ground chicken or turkey would be my first choice to substitute for the pork.
How Can I Make Swedish Meatballs Vegetarian?
Substituting bulgur for ground meat in meatballs is a popular way to create a healthy, fiber-rich vegetarian meal! For every 1 pound of ground meat, use 1 cup of uncooked bulgur (about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of cooked).
Can I Omit Milk from the Meatball Mixture?
Yes! This meatball recipe can be swapped out with water at a 1:1 Ratio. The liquid here adds moisture to the meatballs to make them extra juicy!
How Many Meatballs Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe makes 45 small round meatballs. I use a 1-inch cookie scoop to make them uniform and then roll them in my hands to make a round ball before placing them on a sheet pan.
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Ikea Swedish Meatballs in Cream Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
Ikea Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 1/3 cup breadcrumbs , (plain)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/8 tsp all-spice
Meatball Sauce:
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 beef bouillon cube, (crushed)
- 1 mushroom bouillon cube, (crushed)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbsp heavy cream
- 3 Tbsp sour cream
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/16 tsp garlic powder
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together all the meatball ingredients (1 lb ground beef, 1 lb pork, 4 eggs, 1 1/3 cup bread crumbs, 1 cup milk, 1 Tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp white pepper, and 1/8 tsp ground all-spice). Mix until the mixture is gloopy and sticky (about 3-4 minutes).
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a 21×15 sheet pan with parchment paper. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, measure out the meatballs. Roll and shape into balls, then place them onto the prepared pan, spread apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the internal meat temperature reaches 165°F.
- To make the meatball sauce, melt 1/4 cup of butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in 1/4 cup flour. Stir in the crushed bouillon cubes (one mushroom and one beef) and 1/2 tsp paprika. Whisk into the flour and cook to develop flavor for 1-2 minutes. Add 2 1/4 cups of water and bring the sauce to a boil. Then stir in 2 Tbsp cream, 3 Tbsp sour cream, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/16 tsp garlic, and 1 bay leaf. Let the sauce simmer 3 minutes. Serve ladled over meatballs.
Notes
- Serving Suggestions: We like to serve these meatballs smothered in the cream sauce and plated with mashed potatoes, steamed green peas, and lingonberry sauce.
- My sour cream measurements were leveled. Make sure it’s not heaping as that can change the hue and taste of the gravy.
- I always try to keep Mushroom bouillon cubes in my spice drawer. It adds great umami flavor to gravies or sauces! After preparing the Ikea bought packet of gravy (for testing) the first thing my husband detected in it was the mushroom and sour cream flavor. He was right, because this adds great flavor!
- After the gravy sits, it tends to thicken up. To reconstitute stir in 1/2 cup of cold water when reheating.
- These meatballs and sauce make a great make ahead meal. Simply layer in a 9×13 pan with 1 cup of water or place into the slow cooker. Keep it low for a couple of hours.
Nutrition (per serving)
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